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Throwing and human evolution

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‘L'arme dont on s'est le plus souvent servi est peutêtre celle dont on a le moins parlé, sur laquelle on a le moins écrit’ (Florance 1909:52)

Abstract

Ability to throw was probably achieved at an early stage in human evolution but has received little scholarly attention. Although this ability is poorly developed in apes, anatomical studies suggest that the hand ofAustralopithecus afarensis was adapted to throw with precision and force. Archaeological evidence and early ethnographic observations are cited in order to demonstrate the importance of the throwing skill in human evolution.

Résumé

La capacité de lancer a probablement paru assez tôt au cours de l'évolution humaine, mais les savants y ont accordé peu d'attention. Bien que cette habileté soit peu dévelopée parmi les grands singes, des études anatomiques suggèrent que la main d'Australopithecus afarensis était adaptée à lancer avec précision et force. L'auteur cite les indices archéologiques et les anciennes observations ethnographiques afin de démontrer l'importance dans l'évolution humaine de cette capacité de lancer des objets.

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Isaac, B. Throwing and human evolution. Afr Archaeol Rev 5, 3–17 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01117078

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